In a significant move for animal welfare, the Telangana government has acknowledged a critical gap in its emergency preparedness. The state currently operates without a comprehensive disaster response framework that includes the rescue and protection of animals.
Minister Announces New Animal Evacuation Plan
Animal Husbandry Minister Vakiti Srihari addressed this shortcoming on Thursday. He revealed that this situation is set to change soon. The minister made these statements while speaking at Telangana's inaugural conference on animal-inclusive disaster risk reduction.
Srihari confirmed that the state will engage experts to assist its disaster response team. Their primary task will be to develop an animal-focused evacuation plan. Once finalized, this crucial strategy will be presented to the state cabinet for formal approval.
Mapping Livestock and Strengthening Early Warnings
AV Ranganath, Commissioner of HYDRAA (Hyderabad Disaster Response and Fire Services), emphasized several immediate needs. He pointed out the necessity to train disaster response teams, farmers, and livestock breeders across the state.
A major challenge identified is the lack of data on livestock concentration. "We are not aware where most of these livestock are concentrated. We can draw a holistic plan once we map them," Ranganath stated. Creating a detailed livestock population map is now a priority to enable swift rescue operations during emergencies.
The commissioner also highlighted the increasing unpredictability of disaster response due to erratic climate patterns. He stressed the urgent need to strengthen early weather warning systems for farmers.
"Improved alerts would help them shift their livestock to safer areas or elevated plains ahead of floods or extreme weather," Ranganath explained. This can be achieved by expanding the network of Automated Weather Systems. While the state currently has around 156 such systems, officials agree this number must be significantly increased.
A Collaborative Push for Animal Welfare
The landmark event was organized by UNICEF and Humane World for Animals India. Its core objective was to integrate animal welfare into Telangana's disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.
The conference successfully brought together key stakeholders, including policymakers, disaster management authorities, and sector specialists. Together, they examined how recurring natural calamities in the state—such as floods, heatwaves, droughts, and cyclones—continue to endanger the lives of more than 35 million farmed animals.
This collaborative effort marks a pivotal step toward building a more resilient and compassionate disaster management system for Telangana.
